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A 15,000 kg satellite is orbiting at 800 km above the Earth’s surface. What is the potential energy of the satellite?

Sagot :

Answer:

[tex]-8.34\times 10^{11}\ \text{J}[/tex]

Explanation:

m = Mass of satellite = 15000 kg

h = Distance above Earth = 800 km

R = Radius of Earth = 6371 km

M = Mass of Earth = [tex]5.972\times 10^{24}\ \text{kg}[/tex]

G = Gravitational constant = [tex]6.674\times 10^{-11}\ \text{Nm}^2/\text{kg}^2[/tex]

Potential energy is given by

[tex]U=-\dfrac{GMm}{R+h}\\\Rightarrow U=-\dfrac{6.674\times 10^{-11}\times 5.972\times 10^{24}\times 15000}{(6371+800)\times 10^3}\\\Rightarrow U=-8.34\times 10^{11}\ \text{J}[/tex]

The potential energy of the satellite is [tex]-8.34\times 10^{11}\ \text{J}[/tex].